The 2011 AE2S North Central Utility Rate Surveys have been completed. The surveys include a summary of water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste utility rates. Also included are a variety of charts comparing statistics such as the prevalence and size of transfers from utility funds to other municipal funds, calculated financial operating ratios, recycling statistics, … Read more
AE2S is pleased to announce that the 10th annual North Central Region Utility Rate Study has been completed and will soon be distributed to all participating utilities. This year survey respondents included 84 systems greater than 5,000 people outside of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area (referred to as Metro), 34 systems serving greater than 5,000 … Read more
The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) provide critical infrastructure funding for wastewater and water projects. These programs, managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provide annual grants to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The states are required to match the EPA funds with 20 percent funding which then creates a … Read more
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) has adopted a significant rule change to address concerns over conflicts of interest by financial intermediaries in municipal bond underwritings. The change prohibits municipal securities dealers from acting as a financial advisor to a municipal entity on a new bond issue and, subsequently, acting as an underwriter on the … Read more
AWWA and WEF Advocate a New Water Infrastructure Financing Framework In early April, members of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF) attended a Fly-In event in Washington, DC, to meet with Congressional Members for discussions regarding key issues affecting the water and wastewater industries. Among the issues highlighted was the need … Read more
A couple of school finance tools may be extended through 2015 based on newly-introduced federal legislation. Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W. Va., introduced S. 796 to extend the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs) and Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCBs). These bonds are similar to the Build America Bonds having federal subsidy rates equal to 100 percent … Read more